A Day in the Life

It's been exactly one month since my arrival in Dubin (okay, plus one day). It definitely hasn't felt like a month. It's felt like much longer. Maybe because my roommates and I have a routine worked out. I've got a schedule of what each day is like, my classes for the day, dance classes at night. I have a route I take when walking to school everyday. I know the good coffee shops, where to avoid in the library. We know a few pubs, what the weather is going to be like (always unpredictable) and how expensive it is for a cup of coffee. So, here's a profile of daily life. Today I had one class, a psychology course called 'Models of Development and Mental Health' at 11:00am. So, I woke up at 9:30, got dressed and got my backpack ready. I made a bagel and cream cheese for breakfast, checked my email and was out the door by 10:20. Believe me, in the morning, those 4 tasks take quite a while. As my roommate and I were leaving the apartment for class, we looked out the window and it was snowing outside! Like heavily snowing! A snowstorm in Ireland, what? We took the LUAS into St. Stephen's Green cause it was not fun outside, but by the time the train actually came, the snow had stopped and it was sunny out. We stopped at Cafe Sol on Dawson St. right near Trinity and got yummy warm coffee. They have a good deal in the morning, any hot drink and any pastry for 3.50 euro. Not too bad (until you convert back into U.S. dollars- but let's not go there). 

Went to class in the ugly concrete Arts Building. Today we had a guest speaker, a women who works for this teen/adolescent clinic therapy center(s) around and in Dublin. Despite her disorganized powerpoints, it was interesting to hear. She does a lot of community work, assessing the clients with their parents, in and out of school, etc. I enjoyed it because it seems something that is right up my field. I would preferably like to work with children in clinical settings, but I have no problem tackling adolescents as well. 

After class ended, I headed over to the gym to sign up for the 1pm yoga class. Turns out, due to the weather, the instructor didn't come in today. I tell ya, Ireland is really on it's own schedule and things are not organized. Oh well. I went to the library to do a bit of philosophy reading. I met my Trinity mentor, Aisling, at 2:30 in the Buttery for a cup of tea. She is really really nice. She's a post grad studying clinical psychology and is also a nurse. She's awesome. A few weeks ago I met her for the first time and she showed me how to get to my dance studio and some tips about getting around Dublin. I love chatting with Irish people. Seems odd, but I usually just hang out with the American crew, so I don't hear the Irish accent that often (from peers, anyway). When I listen to the accent and start conversing, I pick up the brogue so quickly its funny. 

After tea, I headed home. I stopped at the mall to get a birthday card for my Grandpa and my friend who is turning 21 soon. I went to one of the Irish gift shops and picked him up a few things I could mail as well. Came home, and it was snowing again! Pelting actually. The hailstorm was kind of a freak show, to be honest! Got home, ate, went on the computer, watched tv. I wasn't able to go to dance class tonight because it was so cold and the weather was horrible. Tara, Sarah, Morgan and I went to a coffee shop in the evening to have some tea, chat and just get out of the house. We then watched the new series of 90210 and here I am! Quite the thrilling life, I know. But, more adventures to come on the weekends and when the weather gets nicer. Fingers crossed!